Emma Raducanu continued her Wimbledon preparations with a commanding victory over Sloane Stephens at Eastbourne, showcasing her rejuvenated passion for tennis. The 21-year-old British player, who recently expressed a renewed enthusiasm for the sport, delivered a dominant performance on center court, claiming a 6-4, 6-0 win in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu acknowledged overcoming challenges in the first set and expressed satisfaction with her ability to adjust and maintain focus throughout the match. She credited her mental resilience in handling difficult moments without allowing them to affect her overall game.
Next, Raducanu faces world number five Jessica Pegula, who comes off a successful title win at the Berlin Open, further testing her form and readiness ahead of Wimbledon. Raducanu's decision to skip the French Open and forego the Olympics to focus on the grass-court season appears to be paying dividends, following her recent semifinal appearance at the Nottingham Open.
Against Stephens, Raducanu seized control in the pivotal moments of the match, breaking her opponent decisively at critical junctures. Stephens, a former US Open champion, struggled to match Raducanu's intensity as the match progressed, eventually succumbing to a resounding defeat after just over an hour on court.
Raducanu's victory extends her perfect record against Stephens to 2-0, having previously defeated her at the Australian Open in 2022. Looking ahead, Raducanu expressed optimism about her current state and outlook, emphasizing her eagerness to continue progressing forward after navigating through challenging periods over the past two years.
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